# Oceanic Procedures on VATSIM

#### Obtaining Oceanic Clearance:

<div class="flex-1 overflow-hidden" id="bkmrk-filing-flight-plan%3A-"><div class="react-scroll-to-bottom--css-xmfai-79elbk h-full"><div class="react-scroll-to-bottom--css-xmfai-1n7m0yu"><div class="flex flex-col text-sm pb-9"><div class="w-full text-token-text-primary" data-testid="conversation-turn-22"><div class="px-4 py-2 justify-center text-base md:gap-6 m-auto"><div class="flex flex-1 text-base mx-auto gap-3 md:px-5 lg:px-1 xl:px-5 md:max-w-3xl lg:max-w-[40rem] xl:max-w-[48rem] group final-completion"><div class="relative flex w-full flex-col agent-turn"><div class="flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3"><div class="flex flex-grow flex-col max-w-full"><div class="min-h-[20px] text-message flex flex-col items-start gap-3 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words [.text-message+&]:mt-5 overflow-x-auto" data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="e6ff164e-31c0-4a13-8ccf-3e529ded9c8c"><div class="markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light">1. **Filing Flight Plan:**
    
    
    - Before entering Oceanic airspace on VATSIM, file your flight plan with either Gander (Atlantic Eastbound) or Shanwick (Atlantic Westbound) Oceanic Centers.
2. **Clearance Filing Links:**
    
    
    - Use the following links to directly access the clearance filing pages: 
        - [Atlantic Eastbound Clearance](https://ganderoceanic.ca/pilots/oceanic-clearance)
        - [Atlantic Westbound Clearance](https://nattrak.vatsim.net/)

</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>#### Special Oceanic Procedures: SELCAL:

<div class="flex-1 overflow-hidden" id="bkmrk-selcal-system%3A-aircr"><div class="react-scroll-to-bottom--css-xmfai-79elbk h-full"><div class="react-scroll-to-bottom--css-xmfai-1n7m0yu"><div class="flex flex-col text-sm pb-9"><div class="w-full text-token-text-primary" data-testid="conversation-turn-22"><div class="px-4 py-2 justify-center text-base md:gap-6 m-auto"><div class="flex flex-1 text-base mx-auto gap-3 md:px-5 lg:px-1 xl:px-5 md:max-w-3xl lg:max-w-[40rem] xl:max-w-[48rem] group final-completion"><div class="relative flex w-full flex-col agent-turn"><div class="flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3"><div class="flex flex-grow flex-col max-w-full"><div class="min-h-[20px] text-message flex flex-col items-start gap-3 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words [.text-message+&]:mt-5 overflow-x-auto" data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="e6ff164e-31c0-4a13-8ccf-3e529ded9c8c"><div class="markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light">1. **SELCAL System:**
    
    
    - Aircraft flying transatlantic or transpacific routes must be equipped with an HF radio due to VHF limitations over the ocean.
2. **SELCAL Code Entry:**
    
    
    - Enter your aircraft's SELCAL code in the pilot client or refer to the real SELCAL at [rzjets.net](https://rzjets.net/aircraft/).
    - [![image.png](https://docs.flyuva.org/uploads/images/gallery/2024-03/scaled-1680-/F9feE6poImOWXQdq-image.png)](https://docs.flyuva.org/uploads/images/gallery/2024-03/F9feE6poImOWXQdq-image.png)
3. **ATC Contact Using SELCAL:**
    
    
    - Ensure your SELCAL is entered in your flight plan, allowing ATC to contact you using this unique identifier.

</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>#### Special Oceanic Procedures: Position Reports:

<div class="flex-1 overflow-hidden" id="bkmrk-position-reports-in-"><div class="react-scroll-to-bottom--css-xmfai-79elbk h-full"><div class="react-scroll-to-bottom--css-xmfai-1n7m0yu"><div class="flex flex-col text-sm pb-9"><div class="w-full text-token-text-primary" data-testid="conversation-turn-22"><div class="px-4 py-2 justify-center text-base md:gap-6 m-auto"><div class="flex flex-1 text-base mx-auto gap-3 md:px-5 lg:px-1 xl:px-5 md:max-w-3xl lg:max-w-[40rem] xl:max-w-[48rem] group final-completion"><div class="relative flex w-full flex-col agent-turn"><div class="flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3"><div class="flex flex-grow flex-col max-w-full"><div class="min-h-[20px] text-message flex flex-col items-start gap-3 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words [.text-message+&]:mt-5 overflow-x-auto" data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="e6ff164e-31c0-4a13-8ccf-3e529ded9c8c"><div class="markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light">1. **Position Reports in Oakland Oceanic Airspace:**
    
    
    - In areas without radar coverage, pilots must make occasional position reports to maintain separation.
2. **Oakland ARTCC Format Generator:**
    
    
    - Use the [Oakland ARTCC format generator](https://oakartcc.org/pilots/oceanic) for position report message generation.

</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>#### Special Oceanic Procedures: Radio Telephony:

<div class="flex-1 overflow-hidden" id="bkmrk-atc-communication-in"><div class="react-scroll-to-bottom--css-xmfai-79elbk h-full"><div class="react-scroll-to-bottom--css-xmfai-1n7m0yu"><div class="flex flex-col text-sm pb-9"><div class="w-full text-token-text-primary" data-testid="conversation-turn-22"><div class="px-4 py-2 justify-center text-base md:gap-6 m-auto"><div class="flex flex-1 text-base mx-auto gap-3 md:px-5 lg:px-1 xl:px-5 md:max-w-3xl lg:max-w-[40rem] xl:max-w-[48rem] group final-completion"><div class="relative flex w-full flex-col agent-turn"><div class="flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3"><div class="flex flex-grow flex-col max-w-full"><div class="min-h-[20px] text-message flex flex-col items-start gap-3 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words [.text-message+&]:mt-5 overflow-x-auto" data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="e6ff164e-31c0-4a13-8ccf-3e529ded9c8c"><div class="markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light">1. **ATC Communication in Oceanic Airspace:**
    
    
    - Within Oceanic Airspace, pilots communicate with a messenger, often referred to as "Radio," who relays instructions from enroute controllers.
2. **Sample Communication:**
    
    
    - Use phrases like "Gander Radio, UAL948 Heavy is overhead 50N040W, time 1840 Zulu" when contacting "Radio."

</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>#### North Atlantic (NAT) Oceanic Procedures:

<div class="flex-1 overflow-hidden" id="bkmrk-advisories-for-cross"><div class="react-scroll-to-bottom--css-xmfai-79elbk h-full"><div class="react-scroll-to-bottom--css-xmfai-1n7m0yu"><div class="flex flex-col text-sm pb-9"><div class="w-full text-token-text-primary" data-testid="conversation-turn-22"><div class="px-4 py-2 justify-center text-base md:gap-6 m-auto"><div class="flex flex-1 text-base mx-auto gap-3 md:px-5 lg:px-1 xl:px-5 md:max-w-3xl lg:max-w-[40rem] xl:max-w-[48rem] group final-completion"><div class="relative flex w-full flex-col agent-turn"><div class="flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3"><div class="flex flex-grow flex-col max-w-full"><div class="min-h-[20px] text-message flex flex-col items-start gap-3 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words [.text-message+&]:mt-5 overflow-x-auto" data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="e6ff164e-31c0-4a13-8ccf-3e529ded9c8c"><div class="markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light">1. **Advisories for Crossing the Atlantic:**
    
    
    - Be alert to SELCALs, traffic advisories, and weather. Request climbs or descents to avoid weather.
2. **Check-Ins with Gander/Shanwick:**
    
    
    - Regularly check in with Gander/Shanwick to avoid missed handoffs, especially when approaching 030 West.
3. **Handoffs Between Gander and Shanwick:**
    
    
    - Be prepared for handoffs between Gander and Shanwick approaching 030 West.

</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>#### Pacific Oceanic Procedures:

<div class="flex-1 overflow-hidden" id="bkmrk-continuous-contact-w"><div class="react-scroll-to-bottom--css-xmfai-79elbk h-full"><div class="react-scroll-to-bottom--css-xmfai-1n7m0yu"><div class="flex flex-col text-sm pb-9"><div class="w-full text-token-text-primary" data-testid="conversation-turn-22"><div class="px-4 py-2 justify-center text-base md:gap-6 m-auto"><div class="flex flex-1 text-base mx-auto gap-3 md:px-5 lg:px-1 xl:px-5 md:max-w-3xl lg:max-w-[40rem] xl:max-w-[48rem] group final-completion"><div class="relative flex w-full flex-col agent-turn"><div class="flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3"><div class="flex flex-grow flex-col max-w-full"><div class="min-h-[20px] text-message flex flex-col items-start gap-3 whitespace-pre-wrap break-words [.text-message+&]:mt-5 overflow-x-auto" data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="e6ff164e-31c0-4a13-8ccf-3e529ded9c8c"><div class="markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light">1. **Continuous Contact with San Francisco Radio:**
    
    
    - Unlike the Atlantic, expect continuous contact with "San Francisco Radio" without frequent handoffs.
2. **Position Reports for Oakland Oceanic:**
    
    
    - In Oakland Oceanic airspace, inquire with San Francisco Radio about the need for position reports.
3. **Hawaiian Islands Clearance:**
    
    
    - Oakland Oceanic does not control the Hawaiian Islands; do not request clearance from them.
4. **Radio Check and CPDLC:**
    
    
    - If you lose radio communication with San Francisco Radio, request a radio check. If issues persist, switch to CPDLC services.

</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>By adhering to these procedures, pilots contribute to the orderly and safe flow of traffic over oceanic airspace on VATSIM, enhancing the realism of their virtual flights.

[![newbluelogo.png](https://docs.flyuva.org/uploads/images/gallery/2026-01/scaled-1680-/hXG8SZFR1EKbEVGE-newbluelogo.png)](https://docs.flyuva.org/uploads/images/gallery/2026-01/hXG8SZFR1EKbEVGE-newbluelogo.png)